Dear Sir, - wish to express my embarrassment and shame at the failure of Dublin Bus to provide a wheelchair-accessible bus to one of the main train station serving Dublin, at Heuston Station. Arriving on the train from Galway last Tuesday 0th July at 11a.m. I went to catch the number 90 bus to the city centre. Waiting at the bus stop beside the station were Two disabled tourists and their companions enquired from the inspector and driver present if it was possible for them to use the bus service.
They were directed to the stop. The bus arrived t the stop and I told the driver was informed by me that the disabled passengers were waiting to board, many other passengers were boarding as he bus. At the same time numerous passengers boarded the bus as they patiently waited.
As no assistance was forthcoming from any Dublin Bus staff, I left the bus and informed them that the driver had said the only way they could be accommodated was if they were carried on to the bus as "there were no ramps available on the bus".
They realised it would cause significant inconvenience that in order for them to use the service it would require significant and unnecessary inconvenience and they decided to travel to the city under their own steam. I find it hard to comprehend that with all the recent investment in public transport services, including the provision of new buses for Dublin Bus, that this such a situation could arise at all. - Yours, etc.,
Veronica Burke, Pearse Court, Athlone, Co Westmeath